Golf Courses in Phoenix: Best Public & Resort Courses (2026 Guide)

Phoenix sits right next door to Scottsdale, but the golf here plays by different rules. Green fees run 30-50% lower than comparable Scottsdale courses, the city operates some of the best municipal tracks in the Southwest, and Sky Harbor Airport puts you on the first tee faster than almost any golf destination in America.

While Scottsdale gets the magazine covers, Phoenix quietly delivers championship golf at prices that won't require a second mortgage. From the red rock buttes at Papago to the pine-lined fairways of The Raven, these six courses prove you don't need to cross into Scottsdale to play quality desert golf.

Why Play Golf in Phoenix Instead of Scottsdale?

The short answer: value. Phoenix golf courses consistently undercut Scottsdale by significant margins while delivering comparable quality. Papago Golf Club regularly gets mentioned alongside $200+ resort courses in Arizona rankings, yet peak-season rates hover around $100-$140. The Raven Golf Club costs $55-$114 and includes a $25 pro shop credit with your green fee.

Geography helps too. Papago Golf Club sits less than two miles from Sky Harbor Airport -- you can literally land, grab your rental car, and be warming up on the range in 20 minutes. Most Scottsdale courses require a 25-45 minute drive from the airport. For golfers on tight travel schedules, that proximity is a genuine competitive advantage.

The variety is also underrated. Phoenix offers everything from Augusta-style pine corridors at The Raven to historic resort golf at the Arizona Biltmore to solid municipal value at Paradise Valley Golf Course. You won't find the dramatic desert canyon golf that North Scottsdale is known for, but the courses here deliver their own distinct character.

Quick Reference

Prices reflect 2025-2026 published rates. Summer rates can drop 50-70% from peak season.

The Courses

-- The Best Muni in Arizona

Green Fees: $100-$140 | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,333 | Designer: William P. Bell (renovated by Bill Brownlee)

There's a reason Arizona State University chose Papago as the home course for both their men's and women's golf teams. This isn't your typical municipal course with patchy fairways and slow greens. The layout winds through Papago Park's distinctive red sandstone buttes, creating a visual backdrop that most resort courses would envy.

The par-3 7th hole is the signature -- you fire at a green backed by towering red rock formations that glow amber in the late afternoon light. It's legitimately one of the most photogenic holes in the Phoenix metro area. The back nine climbs through more elevation changes with views stretching across the Valley of the Sun.

Managed by Troon Golf, conditioning has improved significantly in recent years. The greens roll true and fast, fairways get tight in the right spots, and the bunkering is genuine -- not just decorative. At 7,333 yards from the tips, it's no pushover either. The course rating of 73.8 tells you everything you need to know about the challenge from the back tees.

Insider Tip: Papago sits less than two miles from Sky Harbor Airport. If you have a morning flight out, book a 6:00 AM tee time the day before departure and you'll be done by 10:30 AM with an entire afternoon for sightseeing. Phoenix residents can get resident discount cards that bring rates down even further.

Best Value Play: Summer mornings (6:00-7:00 AM tee times) before the heat sets in. The course is in great shape year-round since Bermuda grass thrives in summer heat.

-- Historic Resort Golf

Green Fees: $99-$189 | Par: 71 (Estates) / 71 (Links) | Designers: William P. Bell (1928), Tom Lehman (2023 renovation)

The Arizona Biltmore has been hosting golfers since 1928, making it one of the oldest continuously operating golf facilities in the state. The Estates Course (formerly the Adobe Course) recently underwent a significant renovation under the guidance of PGA Tour and Champions Tour professional Tom Lehman, bringing the classic William P. Bell design into the modern era while preserving its historic character.

The Estates Course plays 6,430 yards from the white tees with a parkland feel that's unusual for Phoenix. Mature trees line most fairways, and the elevated green complexes reward precise iron play over raw distance. It's a thinking player's course -- favor placement over power and you'll score well.

The Links Course offers a more open, windswept experience with wider fairways and fewer trees. Both courses share the distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture of the Biltmore resort as a backdrop, and the Catalina Mountains frame nearly every view from the fairways.

Insider Tip: Biltmore resort guests get preferred tee times and rate discounts, but both courses accept public play. If you're not staying at the resort, weekday morning times offer the best availability and avoid the weekend resort-guest squeeze. The on-site restaurant is excellent for a post-round lunch on the patio.

Best Value Play: Shoulder season weekdays (November-December, May) when rates drop but conditions remain superb. Summer twilight can dip below $100.

-- The Course That Shouldn't Exist

Green Fees: $55-$114 | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,078 | Designers: David Graham & Gary Panks (1995)

The Raven is unlike anything else in Arizona golf. In 1995, designers David Graham and Gary Panks imported over 6,000 mature pine trees from Georgia and planted them along lush, rolling fairways in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. The result looks more like Augusta National than anything you'd expect to find in south Phoenix.

Walking through The Raven's front gate feels like stepping into a portal. One moment you're surrounded by saguaros and brown desert; the next, you're strolling beneath a canopy of tall Georgia pines with emerald-green fairways stretching before you. It's a surreal contrast that you have to experience firsthand to fully appreciate.

The course plays 7,078 yards from the tips with multi-tiered greens, creative bunkering, and several water features that add both beauty and strategic challenge. The par-4 5th runs along a lake that threatens any ball leaking right, while the par-3 8th requires a precise carry over water to a well-protected green.

Green fees include a $25 pro shop credit and a $10 food credit per person, making the effective cost even lower than the published rate. Factor that in and The Raven delivers some of the best value in the entire Phoenix metro area.

Insider Tip: The thick pine canopy provides meaningful shade, making The Raven one of the more playable courses in summer heat. You'll still want an early tee time in July and August, but the shade knocks several degrees off the perceived temperature compared to exposed desert courses.

Best Value Play: Midweek play in shoulder seasons. The included pro shop and food credits make any round feel like a steal.

-- North Phoenix's Best-Kept Secret

Green Fees: $40-$115 | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,523 | Designer: Arthur Hills

Stonecreek flies under the radar because it doesn't have the name recognition of Scottsdale's premium courses, but locals know better. Tucked into the Paradise Valley corridor of north Phoenix near Piestewa Peak, the Arthur Hills design offers panoramic mountain views from nearly every hole and conditions that have earned praise from Golf.com as a top summer deal.

The layout plays shorter than the big championship courses at 6,523 yards, but the tight fairways, strategic bunkering, and undulating greens make it play longer than the yardage suggests. Hills designed several risk-reward opportunities where aggressive lines can yield birdies or doubles with equal probability.

The mountain views are the real showstopper. Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain frame the course beautifully, and the elevated tee on the 4th hole provides a panoramic vista that rivals anything in Scottsdale. It's a phone-camera course for sure.

Insider Tip: Stonecreek runs excellent summer specials that have earned national media coverage. If you're visiting Phoenix between June and September, this is one of the best deals in the Valley. The clubhouse bar has strong happy hour pricing to match.

Best Value Play: Summer specials and shoulder season twilight. Call the pro shop at (602) 953-9111 for current deals.

-- South Phoenix Value Play

Green Fees: $45-$90 | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,765 | Designer: Gary Panks

Located just a few miles south of Sky Harbor Airport, The Legacy punches above its weight class. The Gary Panks design features genuine desert character with well-placed bunkers, natural washes, and enough water to keep your attention. The par-3s are particularly well designed, with the 3rd hole requiring a carry over a desert wash to a narrow green that demands a precise mid-iron.

The on-site resort makes this an ideal stay-and-play option for budget-conscious golfers. Book a room, play 36 holes in two days, eat at the on-site restaurant, and you'll spend less than a single peak-season round at some Scottsdale courses. The resort rooms aren't luxury, but they're clean, comfortable, and the price-to-value ratio is excellent.

At 6,765 yards from the tips, the course offers enough length to challenge low-handicappers while remaining enjoyable for mid-to-high handicap players from the middle and forward tees. The greens tend to be receptive rather than firm, rewarding accurate approach shots with birdie looks.

Insider Tip: The Legacy's location near South Mountain means you can combine a round of golf with a hike on the South Mountain trails -- one of the best kept secrets in Phoenix. Play an early round, grab lunch, then hit the trails in the afternoon for a full day of outdoor activity.

Best Value Play: Stay-and-play packages that bundle lodging and golf. Summer rates drop significantly and the on-site setup eliminates transportation hassles. Complimentary range balls are included through the end of 2026.

-- The $30 Round

Green Fees: $29-$41 | Par: 61 | Yardage: 3,912

Don't confuse this municipal course in north Phoenix with the ultra-exclusive town of Paradise Valley and its private country clubs. Despite the name, Paradise Valley Golf Course sits on Union Hills Drive in Phoenix and delivers the most affordable golf in the area -- period.

This is a par-61 executive-length layout that stretches to 3,912 yards, so don't expect a championship test. What you will get is well-maintained conditions, mountain views, a walkable layout, and green fees that max out at $41 with a cart on weekend mornings. Weekday walking rates drop as low as $29. That's not a typo.

The course works perfectly for beginners, seniors, juniors, and anyone looking to squeeze in a quick round without spending four and a half hours on the course. The short par-4s and reachable par-3s keep rounds moving at a brisk pace, and the flat terrain makes walking comfortable even in warm weather.

Insider Tip: The driving range is solid and the practice greens are in good shape. Use Paradise Valley as your pre-trip warm-up before tackling the bigger courses. Hit the range, play 18 in under three hours, and get your swing dialed in without burning $100+ on a round where you're still shaking off the rust.

Best Value Play: Weekday mornings with walking. Under $30 for 18 holes is hard to beat anywhere in the Valley of the Sun.

Distance from Sky Harbor Airport

One of Phoenix golf's biggest advantages is proximity to the airport. Here's how long you'll spend in the car:

For comparison, most popular Scottsdale courses (TPC, Troon North, Grayhawk) sit 25-45 minutes from Sky Harbor. If you're landing and want to play the same day, Phoenix courses give you a head start.

Seasonal Pricing Guide

Phoenix golf pricing follows the same seasonal pattern as Scottsdale, with the biggest savings during summer months:

Peak Season (January-March): Expect full published rates at all courses. Papago and The Raven will be busy, so book 2-3 weeks in advance for weekend morning times. Arizona Biltmore rates climb toward $189.

Shoulder Season (April-May, October-November): The sweet spot for price-to-weather value. Rates drop 20-40% from peak while temperatures remain comfortable (80s in April/May, mid-80s in October/November). This is when Phoenix golf truly shines.

Summer (June-September): Rates plummet 50-70% across the board. Early morning tee times (6:00-7:00 AM) let you finish before the worst heat. The Raven's pine canopy provides meaningful shade. Stonecreek runs nationally-recognized summer deals. Even Papago becomes a $40-$60 round.

Holiday Season (December): Rates start climbing but haven't hit peak yet. Snowbirds begin arriving but the biggest rush comes in January. This is a good window for near-peak conditions at moderate pricing.

Phoenix vs. Scottsdale: How to Decide

If you're planning a golf trip to the Valley of the Sun, you don't have to choose between Phoenix and Scottsdale -- they're separated by a road sign, not a mountain range. Most Phoenix courses sit within 20-30 minutes of Scottsdale's popular courses, making it easy to mix and match.

That said, here's the honest comparison:

Choose Phoenix if you want: Lower green fees, proximity to Sky Harbor, great municipal golf, unique options like The Raven's pine-lined fairways, and solid stay-and-play value at The Legacy.

Choose Scottsdale if you want: Dramatic desert canyon golf, nationally-ranked championship courses (TPC, Troon North, We-Ko-Pa), and the après-golf scene along Scottsdale Road.

The best strategy: Play a premium Scottsdale course for your marquee round (see our guide to the ), then fill the rest of your trip with Phoenix courses that deliver 80% of the quality at 50% of the price. Start with Papago and The Raven -- they're as good as most courses charging twice as much.

Looking to keep the budget tight for your entire trip? Check out our guide to for more courses under $100.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best public golf course in Phoenix?

Papago Golf Club is widely regarded as the best public course in Phoenix and one of the best municipal courses in Arizona. The championship layout winds through Papago Park's red sandstone buttes, and Troon Golf management keeps conditions at a level that rivals many private clubs. Arizona State University uses it as their home course for both men's and women's golf.

How far is Phoenix from Scottsdale for golf?

Phoenix and Scottsdale share a border, so the distance depends on which courses you're comparing. Old Town Scottsdale sits just 15-20 minutes from central Phoenix. Courses like Papago, The Raven, and Stonecreek are all within 20-30 minutes of popular Scottsdale courses like Talking Stick and McCormick Ranch.

Is golf cheaper in Phoenix than Scottsdale?

Generally yes. Phoenix's municipal courses (Papago, Paradise Valley) and daily-fee tracks (The Raven, Stonecreek, The Legacy) consistently undercut comparable Scottsdale courses by 30-50%. A peak-season round at Papago runs $100-$140, while a similar-quality course in Scottsdale might charge $175-$275.

Can you play golf in Phoenix year-round?

Absolutely. Phoenix averages 299 sunny days per year, and the Bermuda-grass fairways thrive in summer heat. Summer rounds require early morning tee times (6:00-7:30 AM) to beat temperatures that exceed 110 degrees, but the tradeoff is green fees that drop 50-70% from peak-season rates. Many locals consider summer the best time to play because courses are uncrowded and prices are at their lowest.

What should I wear golfing in Phoenix?

Standard golf attire applies at all Phoenix courses -- collared shirt, golf shorts or pants, and golf shoes. In summer, moisture-wicking fabric is essential, and a wide-brimmed hat provides better sun protection than a baseball cap. Bring at least two bottles of water per nine holes during summer months. Sunscreen is non-negotiable year-round; the desert sun is intense even in winter.

Where should I stay for a Phoenix golf trip?

For maximum convenience, stay near the Biltmore area (24th Street and Camelback Road). You'll be within 15-20 minutes of all six courses on this list, close to excellent restaurants along the Camelback Corridor, and 15 minutes from Sky Harbor Airport. The Legacy Golf Resort offers a budget-friendly stay-and-play option in south Phoenix with an on-site course.

Plan Your Phoenix Golf Trip

Phoenix delivers genuine championship golf at prices that make Scottsdale's resort courses look like luxury goods. Start with Papago for the full Arizona muni experience, add The Raven for something completely different, and fill out your trip with Stonecreek or the Biltmore depending on your budget.

The best part? Every course on this list accepts public play, no resort stay or membership required. Book your tee times, pack your sunscreen, and come discover why locals have been choosing Phoenix golf over Scottsdale's premium prices for decades.

Ready to book? Check current rates at , , and . Or explore the full list of to plan your complete trip.